It’s a great morning, you wake up feeling energized. You immediately get into your routine of exercise, shower, coffee, and healthy breakfast.
Then
you get dressed and ready to take on the day and all the challenges that come
your way via your career. You jump into your vehicle turn the radio to your
favorite station and head down the road.
It’s great, you feel good, you can handle the
harrowing traffic, and you are prepared! You get on the freeway and it’s a
parking lot.
Suddenly you feel anxious, you feel angry, and your mood is disheartened. Your heart rate paces faster and harder. You find yourself yelling out some obscenities, hitting the steering wheel, and basically just freaking out.
You arrive to work 10 minutes late, you rush in, frantic inside. Someone at work approaches you and makes a comment or asks a question and you simply put “go off on them”.
The
entire day is this way and then 5:00 comes along and you find yourself back in
the same situation. When you finally make it home, home sweet home, the kids
meet you at the door and instantly begin making demands or asking when dinner
will be ready. You have had it!!!
Does any of this sound familiar? The best
intentions will not keep you from the distress of the traffic and commute.
Here are some suggestions for relieving the stress and making your commute more enjoyable.
- Preparation
Mental preparation is essential! Make meditation part of your morning routine. 5-10 minutes meditation in the morning can have high returns on the time invested.
Prepare your mind ahead of the morning commute. Mind preparation is as important as the commute itself. It’ll relax your mind and improve positivity during your morning commute.
2. Listen to music/self-help tapes etc…
Find a soothing radio station or cd that you enjoy. If you are listening to metal, rap or rock you could be heightening your own stress levels.
A good radio talk station, books on tape, soft jazz, and easy listening are great choices. This keeps your mind active and focused rather than reactive and anxious.
3. Take care of hygiene, makeup, and hair at home!!!
So many people get out of bed late, and then they attempt to make themselves ready in the car. Not only is this dangerous it adds to the stress because you are getting ready in a sort of frantic on the run state of mind.
You really aren’t helping yourself by attempting to save time by choosing to ready yourself during the commute. Do yourself and everyone else a favor…get ready for your day at home!
4. Use the time for planning or setting goals
A pocket recorder is great! I have used this quiet time to create ideas, plan certain aspects of my life, and set some tangible goals.
I have written many a song while on the road with the help of my pocket recorder. Most cell phones today have a recording device; use it to your advantage.
5. Limit cell phone usage on the road
If you absolutely must use your cell phone while commuting, make sure you have a hands free, speakerphone system.
Using a cell phone on the road is not only dangerous for you; it’s dangerous for those driving around you. Limit your time, let the caller or recipient know you are on the road, and set a time to communicate once you arrive at your destination.
I have missed the turn off-ramps and had to take extra time to get to my destination because even though I thought I was alert…I still didn’t see the sign.
6. Deep breathing exercises
This is a fantastic opportunity to make the most of your time driving to increase your blood oxygen levels. Studies have shown that daily deep breathing has health benefits!
Not only does it relieve stress, but it also improves our health. The cells need oxygen to function properly.
Oxygen is carried throughout our bloodstream and feeds the body so to speak. Shallow breathing is not helpful. Use this time effectively and start your deep breathing exercises today!
7. Try a different route
Break up your routine, try a driving a different route. You may need to leave a little earlier; however, the benefits can be immeasurable! Try the more scenic route as opposed to the same old parking lot on the freeway.
Many times we read these tips and they sound great, however, just the idea of attempting to implement such tips can be stressful. Don’t attempt to implement all these ideas at once. Take one at a time; once it becomes routine then add another.
9. Stretch out
Stress can occur on your muscles, neck, and whole-body while driving, and accumulate if you don’t counter it. Stretch out your hands and other parts of the body while you drive. It can stretch away stress, clear your mind, and relax your muscles.
Just be on the steering while you roll your shoulder to rid the strain. If you’re embarking on a long commute, have a little stoppage for 3 minutes or less to stretch the whole body.
10. Sing aloud
It feels good to sing in your car during a commute. Don’t just put on an audiotape, sing to the music as well to alleviate stress symptoms while commuting and stimulate your mind.
Naturally, singing acts as an antidepressant that releases the happy hormone, endorphin, that brings about pleasurable feeling. By feeling happy, you counter stress. That’s why you need to sing along while commuting.
11. Get enough sleep the night ahead
Normally, sleep deprivation and poor sleeping habit can result in a range of problems, how much more when you’ve to hit the road early morning the next day for business.
Have enough sleep at night prior to commuting, whether it’s short or long-distance commuting. Inadequate night sleep can cause mental and physical stress, thus, making stress come over you during the day.
Then while leaving your place of work, probably between 4 p.m. to 6 p.m, exercise a bit if you are feeling sleepy to enhance your alertness.
12. Leave earlier
Leave the house at least 30 minutes before the time to beat the traffic. Also, return home earlier before the rush hour from workplaces becomes hot and stressful.
Nothing brings more stress like being stuck in traffic while commuting to work in the morning; likewise in the evening while coming back.
Prepare ahead of your commute the previous night. This will give you less sense of time urgency, and the stress that follows suit during the commute.
13. The feeling of gratitude brings peaceful commute
Focus on gratitude while commuting instead of fighting the negative mood. Certain factors such as traffic, annoying drivers, etc. can ruin your day while driving, if you don’t oppose the situation.
Overcome negative mood that can strain or stress your mind. Focus your mindset on things you’ve to be grateful for in your life, then you can feel happy and have a peaceful commute.
Appreciate all the good things that have happened in your life. Sip normal cold water or ice lemon water, or snacks, if you like to cool off as well.
14. Avoid judging other drivers
Save yourself the stress by not overreacting to other drivers’ attitudes. Actually, some drivers can be reckless and annoying on the road, but let it go.
You’ll probably be highly stressed if you always get angry or shout when another driver passes you. Be a defensive driver, do not be judgmental.
If what drivers do on the road bothers you as such, you’re more likely to face headache, agony, and anger, which are symptoms of stress.
Last Words
Remember to be happy! When we are in a happy state of mind the body releases endorphins that relax the mind, the muscles, and increases your oxygen effectiveness. Endorphins simply put…are healing to the mind, body, and soul!
Whatever you do….do something soon! I hope you will improve your state of mind and take the agony out of your daily commutes!
Darla G. Dawald
[email protected]
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